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 The bee is enclosed, and shines preserved, in a tear of the 
sisters of Phaeton, so that it seems read more 
 The bee is enclosed, and shines preserved, in a tear of the 
sisters of Phaeton, so that it seems enshrined in its own nectar. 
It has obtained a worthy reward for its great toils; we may 
suppose that the bee itself would have desired such a death. 
 Seeing only what is fair,
 Sipping only what is sweet,
  . . . .
   read more 
 Seeing only what is fair,
 Sipping only what is sweet,
  . . . .
   Leave the chaff, and take the wheat. 
 The honey-bee that wanders all day long
 The field, the woodland, and the garden o'er,
  To gather read more 
 The honey-bee that wanders all day long
 The field, the woodland, and the garden o'er,
  To gather in his fragrant winter store,
   Humming in calm content his winter song,
    Seeks not alone the rose's glowing breast,
     The lily's dainty cup, the violet's lips,
      But from all rank and noxious weeds he sips
       The single drop of sweetness closely pressed
        Within the poison chalice. 
 The careful insect 'midst his works I view,
 Now from the flowers exhaust the fragrant dew,
  With read more 
 The careful insect 'midst his works I view,
 Now from the flowers exhaust the fragrant dew,
  With golden treasures load his little thighs,
   And steer his distant journey through the skies. 
 The little bee returns with evening's gloom,
 To join her comrades in the braided hive,
  Where, housed read more 
 The little bee returns with evening's gloom,
 To join her comrades in the braided hive,
  Where, housed beside their might honey-comb,
   They dream their polity shall long survive. 
 Burly, dozing humblebee,
 Where thou art is clime for me.
  Let them sail for Porto Rique,
 read more 
 Burly, dozing humblebee,
 Where thou art is clime for me.
  Let them sail for Porto Rique,
   Far-off heats through seas to seek.
    I will follow thee alone,
     Thou animated torrid-zone! 
 In the nice bee, what sense so subtly true
 From pois'nous herbs extracts the healing dew?  
 In the nice bee, what sense so subtly true
 From pois'nous herbs extracts the healing dew? 
 Bees work for man, and yet they never bruise
 Their Master's flower, but leave it having done,
  read more 
 Bees work for man, and yet they never bruise
 Their Master's flower, but leave it having done,
  As fair as ever and as fit to use;
   So both the flower doth stay and honey run.